BOSTON (Reuters) - Richard Hatch evaded getting kicked off the island to win $1 million on the reality-television show "Survivor," only to be accused of dodging the tax man on his earnings.
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Hatch will plead guilty to tax evasion after federal prosecutors charged him with failing to report the $1 million winnings in 2000 and more than $300,000 he earned the following year from radio appearances.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Providence, Rhode Island, announced on Tuesday that it had charged Hatch, 43, with two counts of filing false tax returns.
Hours later, a copy of Hatch's plea agreement was posted on The Providence Journal's Web site. Hatch's attorney, Justin Holden, said the document was authentic but declined further comment on the case.
The charges against Hatch carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, but the government said it would recommend a lesser sentence. Hatch, who lives in Newport, Rhode Island, is due to appear in court next Monday in Providence, prosecutors said.
The first "Survivor" became a ratings sensation for CBS and helped spark a boom in reality-based TV shows.
Hatch, who wandered around naked on the show and who was once described by a fellow contestant as a "snake," was not immediately available for comment.
What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe!
~~Aileen Mehle~~
